Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 15
Chapter 300 — सूर्यार्चनम्
Worship of Sūrya
न्यस्य मूर्धादिपादान्तं मूलं पूज्य तु मुद्रया स्वाङ्गानि च यथान्यासमात्मानं भावयेद्रविं
nyasya mūrdhādipādāntaṃ mūlaṃ pūjya tu mudrayā svāṅgāni ca yathānyāsamātmānaṃ bhāvayedraviṃ
મસ્તકથી પાદાંત સુધી ન્યાસ કરીને, નિર્ધારિત મુદ્રાથી મૂળમંત્રની પૂજા કરવી. પછી ન્યાસ મુજબ પોતાના અંગોમાં મંત્ર સ્થાપી, પોતાને રવિ (સૂર્ય) સ્વરૂપે ભાવવું.
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Nyāsa with mudrā for Sūrya/Ravi upāsanā—internalizing the deity through limb-installation and self-identification for mantra-siddhi and steadiness in dhyāna.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ravi-nyāsa and self-identification (ātma-bhāvanā) in Sūrya-pūjā","lookup_keywords":["nyasa","mudra","mula-mantra","Ravi-dhyana","anga-nyasa"],"quick_summary":"Perform head-to-foot nyāsa, worship the mūla-mantra with the prescribed mudrā, then install the mantra on one’s limbs and contemplate oneself as Ravi for intensified mantra-absorption."}
Concept: Devatā-ātmaikya through nyāsa: the sādhaka ‘becomes’ the deity in contemplative identity to stabilize mantra and mind.
Application: Use as a prelude to japa/homa: nyāsa + mudrā + dhyāna to reduce distraction and deepen visualization.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Nyasa, Mudra, Dhyana of Surya/Ravi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated in padmāsana performs head-to-foot nyāsa with hand mudrās, visualizing the solar deity within the body as radiant Ravi.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm ochres and reds, sādhaka with stylized mudrā gestures, inner golden sun-disc at heart, subtle aura lines, minimal background with lotus motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, thick gold leaf halo, seated sādhaka before a small Sūrya yantra, ornate borders, gem-like highlights, emphasis on radiant circular aureole signifying Ravi within.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing sequential nyāsa points from head to feet, calm face, soft shading, instructional clarity with delicate floral background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior setting, sādhaka performing mudrā, translucent depiction of sun-disc within torso, fine textiles and manuscript-like margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mūrdhādipādāntaṃ = mūrdhā-ādi-pāda-antam; yathānyāsamātmānaṃ = yathā-nyāsam ātmānam; bhāvayedraviṃ = bhāvayet raviṃ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 300 (Sūryārcana: nyāsa-mudrā-dhyāna sequence); Agni Purana mantra-vidhi sections in early tantra-kalpas (general nyāsa rules)
FAQs
It teaches a mantra-sādhana sequence: perform head-to-foot nyāsa, worship the mūla-mantra using the appropriate mudrā, then re-apply the nyāsa to one’s limbs and complete the practice with identification-meditation (ahaṃgraha-dhyāna) as Ravi (Sūrya).
Alongside mythology and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves practical ritual technology—precise procedures like nyāsa, mudrā, and deity-identification meditation—showing its coverage of applied liturgy and mantra practice.
Nyāsa and mudrā are meant to purify and sacralize the body as a fit vessel for mantra, while meditating oneself as Ravi internalizes the deity’s radiance—supporting concentration, inner purification, and the fruit of solar worship.